Epiphyllum

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Epiphyllum
Epiphyllum crenatum var. Kimnachii

Epiphyllum crenatum var. Kimnachii

Systematics
Nuclear eudicotyledons
Order : Clove-like (Caryophyllales)
Family : Cactus family (Cactaceae)
Subfamily : Cactoideae
Tribe : Hylocereeae
Genre : Epiphyllum
Scientific name
Epiphyllum
Haw.

Epiphyllum is a genus of plants fromthe cactus family (Cactaceae). The botanical name of the genus is derived from the Greek words έπί epí for "on" and φύλλον phýllon for "leaf", together means "on the leaf" and refers to the place of origin of the flowers on the leaf-like shoots. The type species of the genus is Epiphyllum phyllanthus .

description

The species of the genus Epiphyllum mostly grow epiphytically , but some also grow lithophytically . They are freely branching, upright, climbing or hanging shrubs that often develop aerial roots . Old shoots are round in cross-section, usually without thorns and often woody. Younger shoots are flattened like a leaf, have edges with broadly rounded or pointed teeth and are sometimes lobed or divided on the areoles . Thorns are usually absent.

The tray-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers arise laterally, stand individually and are 10 to 30 centimeters long. They usually open at night. The pericarpel is covered with small scales and only rarely with hair or bristles. The long tube has bare scales and is abruptly widened at the throat. The outer bracts are whitish, yellowish or pale pink, the inner pale yellow or white.

The egg-shaped to elongated, thornless fruits have small scales and areoles. They are 4 to 9 inches long and 2 to 5 inches in diameter. The kidney-shaped seeds are black.

Distribution and systematics

Epiphyllum oxypetalum
Epiphyllum laui

The genus Epiphyllum is mainly found in Central America and Mexico . However, some species also grow in the Caribbean and northern South America . It was first described in 1812 by Adrian Hardy Haworth . The type species of the genus is Cactus phyllanthus .

The genus includes the following species:

Synonyms of the genus are Phyllocactus Link , Arthrophyllum Labor. and Marniera Backeb.

proof

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Synopsis plantarum succulentarum cum descriptionibus synonymis locis, observationibus anglicanis culturaque . P. 197, London 1812; on-line
  2. ^ Edward F. Anderson : The great cactus lexicon . Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-8001-4573-1 , p. 249-252 .

Web links

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